Pole Position for Ski Safari in North America

Offering first class knowledge, advice and service, Ski Safari has cherry-picked the Big Five of the ski news stories for North America and offered top tips and advice on how to tailor-make your trip this coming season.

WHISTLER & YUKON NORTHERN LIGHTS

Whistler is undeniably a must-ski resort thanks to its awesome skiing terrain, superior accommodation and energetic village vibe. This is one resort where booking early really does pay off and here’s why. If you book by 15th November you can benefit from the Air Canada flight sale as well as fantastic accommodation discounts of up to 53% and lift pass offers of up to 52%, plus a reduction of 25% on non-ski activities such as snowmobiling dog-sledding and zip-trekking. With the money saved on booking early, enrich your skiing holiday with an add-on to see the Northern Lights in Yukon. Located next to Alaska in North West Canada, Yukon is one of the best sites in the world to witness this natural phenomenon.

SKI SAFARI TOP TIP:

Book by 15th November and save £770 per person, where a 10 night holiday starts from £1559 per person, based on a Deluxe Slope-side Room in the 5* Fairmont Chateau Whistler in March. Pre-book your lift pass for 10 days and get one day free. A 3 night Northern Lights add-on to Yukon, including flights starts from £850 per person. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit skisafari.com

EARLY SNOW BLANKETS LAKE TAHOE

The first major snow storm of the winter season has brought heavy snow to North Lake Tahoe, with up to 28 inches of new snow falling at Squaw Valley, ready for the first day of skiing on Thursday 25th October. More snow is expected and will add to the 17-24 inches in Kirkwood and the two feet at the summit of Northstar. Heavenly received over 10 inches, which bodes well for the season since historically October snowfall has resulted in an above average winter season.  The cold temperatures have brought other advantages and the snowmaking systems have been fired up to create a good base and offer some of the best early season conditions when the resorts fully open next month.

SKI SAFARI TOP TIP:

Head to Heavenly in December and spend 10 nights at the 3* Lakeshore Lodge, with prices starting from £1440 per person, based on 2 sharing and including flights and transfers. 

CITY BREAK IN REYKJAVIK & SKI COLORADO

Enhance your skiing holiday to North America by adding a city break. For 2012-13 you can supplement any holiday in one of the Colorado* resorts with a unique city break in Reykjavik, Iceland. Reykjavik offers a city break with a difference, with the emphasis on the natural beauty and unique scenery, with its geysers, volcanoes, mighty waterfalls, glaciers, boiling mud pools and the Northern Lights. With the Aurora Borealis set to be the brightest in over a generation, according to NASA, there couldn’t be a better time to catch a glimpse of this spellbinding spectacle. Fly from Heathrow, Manchester or Glasgow and take advantage of the free stopover in Reykjavik, making financial sense too as it is the cheaper flight option to Denver and locally prices in Reykjavik are at an all-time low. Over in Colorado and two hours from Denver airport is Copper Mountain, one of Colorado’s most modern and affordable resorts, following Intrawest’s investment and development. A favourite with the locals, Copper has an excellent snow record, superb terrain for all levels from easy cruisers to steeps and backcountry skiing on the wide open bowls. 

*(except Telluride)

SKI SAFARI TOP TIP: Book your holiday to Copper Mountain through Ski Safari and you can save up to 30% on lift passes compared to in resort prices. A 10 night city and ski holiday to Copper Mountain, with a 3 night stopover in Reykjavik (including Northern Lights and Blue Lagoon excursion) starts from £1345 per person. Price includes accommodation in a standard room in Copper Mountain and the Hotel Fron in Reykjavik, with flights to Denver and resort transfers. 6 day lift passes start from £192.

ON THE SLOPE TO SUCCESS AT JAY PEAK

In just four years Jay Peak has been radically transformed from a neglected ski hill to become the hidden gem of Vermont. Following an exceptional investment of over US$200 million, the unfamiliar East Coast resort has been suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Since 2008 Jay Peak has seen the opening of new hotels and lodgings, an indoor ice arena, investment in lift infrastructure and snowmaking as well as the opening of the Pump House, a massive 60,000 square-foot indoor waterpark, all working towards the vision of creating a four season all-weather resort. Located just a two hour drive from Montreal, Jay currently has 385 acres of terrain and profits from the highest average snowfall on the East Coast. With an annual snowfall of 279in, Jay Peak receives more than Vail (346in) and more than Mont Tremblant (150in). The rebirth of Jay Peak continues with further investment and developments as it evolves into a top-class contender and a top choice for families too.

SKI SAFARI TOP TIP:

A 7 night holiday to Jay Peak starts from £1399 per person, staying at the 4+* Hotel Jay in Jay Peak. Price includes flights to Boston, car hire, 7 days lift pass, 7 days free Waterpark entry and free 2 Hour daily group lesson.  Combine a holiday in Jay Peak with a city stay in Montreal or Boston from as little as £40 per person per night.

ASPEN/SNOWMASS TOP CHOICE FOR 2012-13

This coming winter season 2012-13 will see an investment of over $17.5million (£11 million) in infrastructure, improvements and innovations. The new mid-mountain Elk Camp restaurant on Snowmass has seen a substantial investment of £8.1million in the state-of-the-art restaurant. In addition Snowmass will add 230 acres of new terrain on Burnt Mountain this season, formerly unpatrolled backcountry this new terrain will result in Snowmass becoming the second largest ski area in Colorado. The iconic 5* The Little Nell resort and its award-winning restaurant Montagna will be refashioned following a £1.6 million investment and open up as Element 47 this season. The Hotel Jerome, another famous name in Aspen is also benefiting from a financial revamp. With such amazing improvements the question is not if, but when you should go.

SKI SAFARI TOP TIP:

The brand new Westin Snowmass will open its doors on 15th November and if you book by this date you can save £350 per person on a 10 night holiday in January, with prices starting from £1595 per person, including flights and transfers.  A 7 night stay at the 5+* Hotel Jerome, offering the ultimate combination of über luxury and classic USA authenticity, starts from £2050 in January, including flights, transfers and a saving of £550 if booked by 15th November.

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